Crocoite with Vauquelinite (Type Locality for both)

Item Description

This large specimen is an excellent, important example of crocoite and vauquelinite from the Type Locality for both species. Note the robust, sharp, stereotypic crystal habit so different from that which we normally see in the far more common Aussie material. These stand out, dramatically, from most crocoite you will see from Australian localities. The crystals are to 1.4 cm, on matrix. Also, as a bonus, you have rich pistachio-green druse of the very rare phosphate-chromate vauquelinite all-around the edges of the specimen, just below the milky quartz rind. Discovered in the early 1800s, these are some of the oldest well-studied lead mineral species and both are lead chromates. This large piece happens to be rather attractive, as well as significant. Ex Howard Belsky Collection. This is probably Imperial Russia-era material.